The Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is a critical residence theater projector for critical residence theater lovers. It incorporates a motorized lens with horizontal and vertical lens shift, plus ample zoom. Its 4K enhancement expertise gives plenty of element. Its largest profit over inexpensive 4K projectors, nonetheless, is a superb distinction ratio for deep, darkish shadows and vibrant, popping highlights. Like
Superb general image high quality
Excellent distinction ratio
Motorized lens
Ample lens shift and motorized zoom
Don’t like
Could be quieter
Chonkers
There are only some disappointments, and so they’re minor. It does not fairly have the colour or razor-sharp element of its direct competitor, the LG HU810P. That’s to not say the 5050 is not sharp and colourful. It is, only a bit much less so — though I preferred the Epson’s general image high quality much more than that of the LG. The 5050UB can be an absolute unit, a number of occasions bigger than a lot of the projectors I’ve reviewed within the final 12 months (together with the LG). In sum, the Home Cinema 5050UB is a superb all-around projector that appears incredible with all content material. It gives a major step up in image high quality over inexpensive projectors, just like the Optoma UHD35, and prices so much lower than one thing just like the Sony VPL-VW325ES. It even provides its dearer, laser-powered sibling, the LS11000, a run for its cash. More on that under. Overall, the Epson 5050 is my go-to alternative for anybody with a devoted residence theater who desires a projector worthy of the area. Editor’s observe, November 2022: For its glorious image and worth, we’re as soon as once more giving the 5050 our Editor’s Choice award. While the laser-powered LS11000 gives some further advantages and efficiency over the 5050, it is also much more cash. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Specs 4(Ok) days Native decision: 4K enhancement (1,920×1,080 x2)HDR-compatible: Yes4K-compatible: Yes3D-compatible: YesLumens spec: 2,600Zoom: Motorized (2.1x)Lens shift: Motorized H/VLamp life (Medium mode): 4,000 hoursThe 5050UB is a 4K- and HDR-compatible projector. As such, it could settle for 4K and HDR indicators, although understand that no projector can do HDR very properly. Like all Epson projectors the 5050UB makes use of an LCD mild engine, not the DLP that is present in most different projectors. The ones used on the 5050UB aren’t technically 4K native decision. Instead, they are a expertise known as “4K enhancement” that “shifts each pixel diagonally to double Full HD resolution,” based on Epson. This is finished in a short time, so it is only a higher-resolution picture to the attention. Here’s a deeper dive into the expertise. The brief model: It seemed loads sharp to me, if not fairly as razor-like because the DLP-powered LG; see under for particulars. One of the 5050’s most notable options that units it other than inexpensive projectors is a motorized lens. This gives ±96.3% vertical and ±47.1% horizontal motion, which must be sufficient to let the 5050 slot in nearly any residence. There’s additionally a major motorized zoom of two.1x. Watch this: Six issues to learn about residence theater projectors
02:32 Epson claims the 5050UB can produce 2,600 lumens. I really measured barely greater than that… within the much less correct Dynamic shade mode. In the extra correct Bright Cinema mode I measured roughly 192 nits, or about 1,732 lumens. This places it among the many brightest projectors we have ever measured. Lamp life is on the low aspect. Even within the Eco mode, Epson charges it at as much as 5,000 hours. Some projectors of comparable brightness we have reviewed within the final 12 months had been able to upward of 15,000 hours of their most lamp-conserving modes. That mentioned, 5,000 hours continues to be over three years of use at 4 hours an evening. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Connectivity HDMI inputs: two HDMI 2.0PC enter: Analog RGBUSB ports: 2Audio enter and output: NoDigital audio output: NoInternet: LAN12v set off: YesRS-232 distant port: YesRemote: BacklitBoth HDMI inputs are HDMI 2.0 and may settle for as much as 4K60. As you may anticipate from its supposed use as a projector for a devoted theater, it lacks an audio out. Epson assumes, rightly for my part, that anybody getting a 5050 would have a conventional projector association with both a receiver or at the very least a soundbar for audio.Along the identical strains, there are many management choices for residence automation techniques, together with a 12-volt set off, RS-232 and a LAN port. The distant is a giant boy (identical to the projector it controls) and has a nice amber backlight. If you may have a 2.35:1 display screen, as I do, you may attain for this distant for extra than simply on and off, since you possibly can zoom the projector and fill the display screen with 2.35:1 content material with out getting off the sofa. That’s all the time a bonus. Geoffrey Morrison/CNET Picture high quality comparisons LG HU810PThe LG HU810P is probably the most notable competitors for the 5050. They’re the identical value however the HU810P makes use of newer expertise, particularly two lasers and a phosphor as an alternative of the 5050’s extra conventional lamp. I linked each utilizing a Monoprice 1×4 distribution amplifier, and seen them side-by-side on a 12-foot-wide 1.0-gain display screen. Right off the bat, each are nice projectors, however their strengths and weaknesses are virtually polar opposites. As far as mild output goes, they’re very related. In their respective most correct modes, the LG can do 166.3 nits to the Epson’s 192. Objectively, that is a good bit of distinction, however subjectively, side-by-side, they each simply look vibrant. So we’ll name that kind of a tie. Color, although, goes to the LG. The lasers, with assist from a phosphor, are completely deeper and richer. Throw on some HDR content material and the deep crimson reds and vibrant purples are far past what the 5050UB can produce. This is type of like saying a Porsche is slower than a Ferrari, nonetheless, for the reason that 5050UB is not any slouch within the shade division. On its personal it seems nice, the LG on this regard seems higher. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETIt’s the same story with element. The LG makes use of a 4K DLP chip to create a picture, and element is that expertise’s major power in comparison with LCD with pixel shifting, which is what Epson makes use of. The picture simply seems a bit of sharper, particularly with movement. However, in the event you’re not watching them aspect by aspect, I’m unsure you’d discover. The 5050UB actually does not look delicate, it is undoubtedly 4K to my eye. The subsequent facet of image high quality is the place the tide turns towards the Epson by so much. In a phrase, or technically two: distinction ratio. Even with out utilizing its iris, the native distinction of the 5050UB’s three LCD chips is considerably increased than the LG — 10 occasions increased. So the picture has considerably extra punch and is much less washed out. Even in the event you dial the LG’s lasers and iris again as a lot as doable, it solely simply matches the Epson’s black stage whereas that projector is in its brightest and most shade temperature-accurate mode. Which is to say, the Epson’s black ranges are roughly the identical whereas on the identical time (in the identical mode) it’s able to having highlights or vibrant elements of the identical picture which can be seven occasions brighter than when the LG’s lasers are dialed all the way in which down and the iris is closed. Flipping that round, in the event you match their mild outputs, the Epson’s black ranges in the identical mode are 9 occasions darker. Geoffrey Morrison/CNETWhat does this seem like? An straightforward instance is watching any film with letterbox bars. If I set the projectors to be roughly the identical brightness general, the letterbox bars on the LG are grey. If I match their letterbox bars by decreasing the LG’s laser energy and shutting its iris, it finally ends up wanting dim in comparison with the Epson. So when watching any content material, the deep blacks of the 5050UB, whereas sustaining vibrant highlights, make for an especially pleasing picture. Comparison to the Epson Home Cinema LS11000While reviewing Epson’s personal LS11000, I in contrast it to the 5050. The LS11000 is $1,000 dearer, and makes use of a laser as an alternative of the 5050’s UHP lamp. Since there shall be no lamp replacements for the lifetime of the projector, the full possession value distinction between these two projectors is lower than it initially seems. The Epson LS11000. Geoff Morrison/CNETSharpness is without doubt one of the most noticeable variations between these two. The LS11000’s pixel shift quadruples the pixels from its 1080p chips, so it is 1080pX4 in comparison with the 5050’s 1080pX2. So between these two projectors the LS11000 is unquestionably sharper, which is sensible as a result of it has twice the decision. Both are much less detailed than a 4K DLP, however sharpness is that expertise’s largest power.Contrast is a distinct story, and a stunning one. I measured the 5050’s distinction ratio at 5,203:1 vs. the LS11000’s 1,808:1, which is considerably worse. Even the LS11000’s dynamic distinction is decrease, the place the laser energy tracks the brightness of incoming video sign and adjusts accordingly. However, this mode is extra helpful on the LS11000, since this adjustment occurs just about immediately, far sooner than the mechanical iris on the 5050. So despite the fact that the numbers counsel the 5050 blows the LS11000 away, subjectively and side-by-side they’re pretty comparable. That’s spectacular, particularly for the reason that 5050 is cheaper and much older.With SDR the LS11000 seems a bit of higher and has extra pure shade. With HDR the LS11000 does a greater job reproducing a wider shade gamut. However, the distinction is not enormous in both case. Geoff Morrison/CNETAll instructed, the LS11000 is a diagonal step from the 5050. Overall it does look higher, however not the 25% higher implied by its value. However, in the event you embody the “total cost of ownership,” which on this case means $330 lamps each 2.5 years or so with the 5050, the worth is finally roughly the identical. So with a bit higher efficiency and that laser holding the possession prices in verify, the LS11000 is price contemplating in the event you’re wanting on the 5050, regardless of being, on paper, $1,000 dearer.For extra, learn our in-depth Epson Home Cinema LS11000 4K laser projector evaluate. Charge your pals admission The Home Cinema 5050UB is a superb projector. At $3,000 it is actually not low cost, however for these trying to purchase a PJ for a devoted residence theater or a light-controlled lounge that may do its black ranges justice, the picture high quality is unquestionably a step above inexpensive projectors. Is it, say, over twice nearly as good because the $1,300 Optoma UHD35? Perhaps. The Optoma is excellent for the worth, however that is actually the caveat: “for the price.” It holds its personal, nevertheless it has a means worse distinction ratio and does not deal with HDR practically in addition to the Epson. I believe most individuals can be completely content material with the UHD35. But for lovers searching for a extra “home cinema” expertise the… oh wait, I simply mentioned the title of the factor within the factor. Let me strive that once more. For these searching for a extra “home theater” expertise, the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB does nearly every part proper and appears incredible. Geek Box Test ResultScoreBlack luminance (0%) 0.046AveragePeak white luminance (100%) 192.3GoodDerived lumens 1732GoodAvg. grayscale error (10-100%) 7.624PoorDark grey error (20%) 6.223CommonBright grey error (70%) 7.432PoorAvg. shade error 3.636AverageRed error 3.527AverageGreen error 2.199GoodBlue error 4.345AverageCyan error 5.111AverageMagenta error 2.461GoodYellow error 4.173AverageAvg. saturations error 8.34PoorAvg. shade checker error 8.5PoorInput lag (Game mode) 28.4Good Measurement notes I discovered the Bright Cinema shade mode provided the very best mixture of sunshine output and accuracy. In the six-color temperature mode, the 5050UB was fairly spot on D65 throughout the grayscale vary. In addition, all major and secondary colours had been spot on their Rec. 709 targets. This is without doubt one of the most correct projectors we have reviewed within the final 12 months. The native distinction ratio was glorious for a projector, with a median of 5,203:1 throughout varied modes. For comparability, the second finest distinction ratio we have measured just lately was the BenQ HT2050A with a local distinction ratio of two,094:1. With the lamp mode (known as Power Consumption) set to High and the iris off, the 5050UB places out a formidable 192.3 nits, or roughly 1,732 lumens. The Eco mode drops the sunshine output by about 30%. If you activate the iris, which opens with vibrant photos and closes with darkish photos, the dynamic distinction ratio rockets up past 100,000:1. While the Bright Cinema mode seemed higher general, the Cinema mode provided wider colours for HDR content material. However, it was additionally a lot dimmer. I did not discover the ~10% larger shade gamut for ~60% much less mild to be a worthy trade-off, however be at liberty to test it out. The distinction ratio was about 40% higher on this mode as properly, which was solely barely noticeable. If you want much more mild, the Dynamic shade mode places out a formidable 323.6 nits, roughly 2,914 lumens, although the general picture is not nearly as good or correct.